Page 38 of Jeweler to the Blessed (Champions of Chaos #1)

“Blessed take emotion. When collecting lust, to continue to make it…enjoyable for one’s partner, you have to stoke more lust than you take.” He glanced over his shoulder at the retreating Blessed. “His focus should be entirely on his partner’s satisfaction. ”

My throat was dry at his words.

His focus returned to me, his body caged mine on the seat now, and he whispered in my ear, “I do need to be a bit closer now. He’ll complain to Ava. We need to make this more convincing.”

I tried to swallow and ended up clearing my throat instead.

He lifted his hand, reaching for a strand of my hair that had fallen into my face. “You alright with that? I won’t touch your skin.”

Disappointment curled in my stomach. “Alright.”

He studied the hair as he wrapped it around his fingers. “What’s your next question?”

Forming a complete sentence was a challenge. He knew the Feared and didn’t make it sound like the Cursed King was a real threat to me. I wasn’t sure I believed it, but maybe Mother’s line was really from Champions of Kavios . I could check in the morning.

For now, I needed more truths from Hart. “You saw the king’s magic at the Cornucopia.”

He tucked the hair behind my ear, careful not to touch me. “That’s not a question, Chaos.”

“What was he doing?” I breathed.

Hart’s hand moved to my hip. His other hand was hidden beneath me, so those around us could not tell where it lingered. “You know what he was doing.”

Even with the layer of clothing between us, his touch was like a brand, burning through to the skin beneath. The stories of siren songs luring unsuspecting sailors to their doom flashed through my thoughts. I grasped for a composure that was steadily slipping through my fingers.

I pushed Hart’s shoulder back, and he rolled with my guidance. He ended up seated in the chair, and I crawled onto his lap, hovering just above him. The flex and grip of his fingers at my waist said he wasn’t as unaffected as he appeared.

He reached again for a blond strand that had freed itself with my movement. “Careful, Chaos. We don’t need to make this that good of a show.” He closed his eyes momentarily as if reminding himself of the question. “The king used his magic to calm the populace, to lull them into a sense of safety.”

His thumb stroked my hip. I tentatively placed my hands on his chest, bracing against the strength of him.

This was a terrible idea. “It’s not the only time he’s done such a thing.” That was another statement. Quickly, I added, “Is it?”

Hart’s chuckle was low and dark as his thumb slid across my hip again. “It’s not.”

I leaned forward, my mouth hovering just above his ear.

My knees spread wider of their own accord, sinking me lower over his lap.

His length was hard beneath me. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment for the seconds I had before I unleashed my treasonous suspicion.

“He uses it on the populace regularly. He makes them complacent in Kavios, so they won’t want to leave. ”

Hart’s piercing gaze held mine as I pulled away. He didn’t correct me this time, even though there was no question in my words. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and then he nodded.

Unable to determine if his struggle was lust or treason, I eased back.

His hand tightened on my hip, a slight pressure on my back leading me forward. We were partners in crime tonight. It was a reminder of why we were here. I needed an ally in all of this, and for some reason, I wanted it to be Hart.

The next words that fought to free themselves would tip the scales. They would mean I trusted Hart myself, and not because my uncle or Ava did first.

I reasoned that he already suspected. We’d made eye contact during the king’s calm at the Cornucopia. Thanks to Alaric’s secrets, Hart knew I didn’t take youngleaf to prevent its impacts. He hadn’t asked me for another justification.

I wanted to give it to him anyway.

Still, I wasn’t sure I’d ever spoken the words aloud. Tentatively, I tasted them on my lips. “His power doesn’t work on me.”

Hart’s smile was sinful, as his hand gripped tighter on my hip.

In for a penny, in for a pound. “None of the Blessed’s magic works on me,” I continued. “The day Alaric disappeared, the day you were supposed to walk me through the Oldwood—I was planning to go to the Library of Linia to try to find out why.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

I wasn’t sure he was breathing.

“Because I can’t give Rodric the adamas. And now that the Glanmores know others in Alaric’s family can source it, I can’t leave. It’s too dangerous for my father.”

His hand slid up my side. “The real question, Chaos, is what will you do about it?”

I sat back, his challenge clearing my head. What was I going to do about it? I wanted to run but couldn’t, not with my family in the crosshairs. “What about you?”

His fingers twitched at my side. “I’ve chosen my path.”

“Working with the Feared?”

He ignored my jab. “Using my position to get resources for those working against Rodric. You could … help.” His words were hesitant, and his grip loosened.

It was as if he hadn’t realized what he would say, as if maybe he had surprised himself. He was quiet for a moment. Contemplative. I got the sense he wasn’t waiting for me to answer.

His hand lay loose at my hip now. Sanity returned to my lust-addled brain. “The youngleaf. It wasn’t only Alaric you gave it to. You must distribute it to the Feared if it provides resistance against the king’s calm.”

Something like an idea sparked in his eyes. Its intensity would be alarming if I weren’t already spilling secrets that could see me killed.

He cleared his throat. “Yes. You could come with me tomorrow to pick it up.”

I wasn’t sure how that would help, but something in his gaze begged, once again, for trust. “Is this you calling in the bargain for Mother’s allotment?”

My words were a test, and we both knew it. He’d delivered on his deal with Alaric tonight. He had to have known I would eventually learn Mother was receiving the tonic.

He sighed. “You know the answer, Chaos. Do it or don’t—your Mother will receive her tonic.”

“Then why?—”

He shrugged and reached for his drink again. “This city had done nothing but take from you. Then, you were thrust into this position. With Alaric gone, you have no one to trust and a big decision to make.”

I laughed. “Blackmailing me was a funny way to earn my trust.”

His hand curled around my hip again. The slight pressure reinforced his point. “You were never going to trust me. Not with who I am and who you are. But I was happy enough to see your anger—to see you feel something.”

Stunned, I rolled off him and curled back in my original position to his right. “Why do you care what I feel? ”

He laughed, but it was hollow. “What did Alaric’s note say, Ember?”

I swallowed thickly. He was changing the subject, but whether it was the use of the name or the new topic, I found myself responding. “The note told me Alaric intended to leave. Clearly, he expected me to find it before the royals found me.”

Hart set his drink down and leaned over me again. His brow arched, reminding me our show wasn’t over. “And just like that, Alaric left you trapped in the position he hated.”

Tears pricked behind my eyes. His words were harsh, but they weren’t incorrect.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my neck. “I want to help you.”

The scent of the liquor on his breath reached my nose. It was more intoxicating than the drink itself. “Why?”

His chuckle shot jolts of pleasure through my body. I was holding on by a thread. “Maybe because none of this is fair. Or maybe because you don’t deserve this fate. Maybe I just think you need it.”

That was rude but accurate.

He paused again. “You’re supposed to have a choice. A real one.”

“What does that mean?”

He shook his head before he started speaking. “I was so mad at Alaric when he left. So mad when I found you—realized you were?—”

His words cut off, but I could remember his anger that afternoon in the alley. Then the way it had shifted as he seemed to recognize my fear of being in close quarters with a Blessed.

“It doesn’t matter. I wish he’d trusted me with more, but?—”

“I know that feeling,” I said. “Although a wise woman told me trust isn’t transferable. I don’t think loyalty or friendship are either. Please don’t help me because you think it’s what Alaric would want. I only want your help if it’s because you want to give it.”

His mouth was at my ear. “Alaric is the farthest thing from my mind.”

I couldn’t stop my lips from tilting into a smile. We’d covered so much ground tonight. This discussion might have been needed, but things felt too heavy, too serious. I wanted something lighter to break the tension. “Tell me something true.”

He didn’t hesitate. “I do live here at Forest’s Edge. There are stairs to my apartment in the alley.”

I laughed. Then pushed him back to look at his face. He was serious. “What?”

“I know you’ll find this hard to believe since I’m so good at it, but I’m not just a guard. I own this place. Originally, I became a city guard to help the Feared. Then, when your uncle went missing, I decided it was worth getting assigned to you.”

My heart beat rapidly again as his thumb at my waist slid back and forth in a gentle caress. “Why did you want to get assigned to me?”

He leaned back farther and picked up his drink to take a sip. “At first. It was to see what Alaric was hiding.”

I needed the momentary distance to clear my head. My attempt at light conversation brought us back to all of this. At least he was giving me the honesty I craved. I just wasn’t sure how much more I could take tonight. I swallowed. “And now?”

He arched an eyebrow, set down his drink, and rolled back over me. His hand moved to the strand of hair falling from my braid again. He wrapped it around his finger. “Now, I think you feel trapped. But I want to show you your options. Seeing how I collect the youngleaf will be good for you. ”

This was what I wanted: an ally who knew what was happening in this city—someone to help me decide my next move when so much seemed unstable.

“I’ll go with you tomorrow. But now, I need to return to my room.”

He gave me space, letting me scoot out from beneath him. As I stood and straightened my clothes, he parted the curtain, gesturing for me to go.

Tonight had been a huge gamble, but I thought it paid off. I wanted to know what he knew. There was more outside the city he was trying to show me, and I wasn’t one to turn down information. I’d take all I could before the Blessing Ceremony.